Lily's Pond of Fictional Reflections

Seven books I own, no caption, no comment. 

Seven books I own, no caption, no comment. 

Seven books I own, no caption, no comment.

Regularly readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of Sir Matthew Bourne's New Adventures productions.  Their current production is The Red Shoes, based on the 1948 film.  Originally, we had planned to see it back in January at Sadler's Wells, in London, but the weather that week was dodgy, which would have upset the trains (GWR trains are very temperamental), so we got a credit for our theatre tickets and booked to see it in Cardiff instead.

We went on Thursday, with a much shorter train journey, arriving in time for lunch and a quick walk around part of Cardiff Bay before heading to the matinée performance.  The Cardiff Millennium Centre is a great venue for productions, and one I'd happily return to.  

The production was everything we'd hoped for.  I last saw it in December 2019, so remembered most of the story, but with different dancers the performance was always going to be new.  The dancing was excellent - I don't think I can pick out anyone in particular, although I was delighted Victoria Page was danced by Cordelia Braithwaite, who I really like.  The staging, music and lighting all helped to enhance it, and I was so pleased we had seen it.

It continues to tour for another couple of months, and then next year, it will be Cinderella.  I'm already thinking of booking tickets.

I started the year with only 11 books on my TBL list, plus 2 pre-orders, which has now grown to 13 books and 3 pre-orders, but I should clear most, if not all, by the end of the year.  

I've had 2 DNFs, and here are the first 5 I've heard:

Parsley Sidings a BBC radio series, full cast
Typical radio comedy from the early 1970s which still made me laugh.  I listened on and off for a few months, and enjoyed the nostalgia of my early teens.

A Three Dog Problem by S J Bennett, read by Samantha Bond
The second in the series where Queen Elizabeth II solves crimes around the palace.  I'm a republican (Small R!) but find the series entertaining and relaxing.  I have the next two in the series which I shall be listening to later in the year.

The Happiness List by Annie Lyons, read by Jaimi Barbakoff
I enjoy books by Annie Lyons, again easy listening and the people seem very real, even if the Happy Ever After is not entirely realistic - but then, why not have a happy ending for characters we care about?  The Happiness List is about three women who each have their own, very different problems, and are challenged to make a list of things which make them happy over a ten week course.  The items which they include in their individual lists are very relatable.

Dishonour and Obey by Graham Brack, read by Alex Wyndham
The next Master Mercurius title, where Mercurius joins a diplomatic mission to England to arrange the marriage of Princess Mary, the daughter of James, Duke of York, to Stadhouder William of Orange.  There's murder, espionage and general skulduggery.  I shall be adding the next book to my list soon.

Death and Boules by Ian Moore, read by Ian Moore
The latest Follet Valley mystery.  As bizarre as ever, this time involving, amongst other things, a pétanque tournament.  I hope there are more, I really enjoyed listening to this one.